November 02, 2020 – A bill introduced last week in the Senate aims to establish Medicare and Medicaid coverage for telehealth programs that monitor the health of expectant mothers. The Connected Maternal Online Mothering Services (MOM) Act (S.4859) would establish coverage for remote patient monitoring programs for pregnant women that track blood pressure, blood glucose and pulse rates […]
CMS released the 2021 home health final rule on Thursday, October 29, 2020. There were minimal changes compared to the home health proposed rule that was released in July 2020. Probably the best news in the rule was the 1.9% aggregate increase (or $390 million) in reimbursement that agencies will realize in 2021. Although the […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers, and providers are looking for ways to expand access to telehealth services. Telehealth is an essential tool in ensuring patients are able to access the healthcare services they need in as safe a manner as possible. In order to provide our clients with quick and […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers, and providers are looking for ways to expand access to telehealth services. Telehealth is an essential tool in ensuring patients are able to access the healthcare services they need in as safe a manner as possible. In order to provide our clients with quick and […]
Whole person care is considered critical to payer strategies, but how can payers ensure it remains central to evolving population health and telehealth strategies? By Kelsey Waddill November 02, 2020 – As the healthcare environment faces major changes, payers may face challenges in maintaining their focus on whole person care across all strategies. Given the influence of the […]
COVID-19 has created a telehealth boom, and it’s fantastic. The pandemic has pushed telehealth forward at least 10 years — no small feat, given healthcare lags about 10 years behind other industries in digital innovation. But, as is often the case with U.S. healthcare, we’re over-relying on the latest trend and ignoring the fact that it’s only a […]
The telehealth revolution has arrived, faster than even its most ardent proponents anticipated. Virtual doctor visits are on track to top 1 billion by the end of this year. That would be 30 times the figure from just three years ago. People with diabetes have been among the most enthusiastic adopters of remote care. At […]
CMS finalized 2021 payment updates for home health agencies Oct. 29. Four takeaways on the changes, which are effective Jan. 1: 1. CMS will increase payments to home health agencies by about 1.9 percent, or $390 million, for 2021. 2. CMS also finalized home infusion therapy rates for 2021. The rates will result in a 0.7 percent […]
The Canadian province is launching a community paramedicine program in five communities, which will use local paramedics and a telehealth platform to connect with seniors on long-term care waiting lists. By Eric Wicklund November 02, 2020 – Ontario’s government is investing roughly $5 million in a telehealth program aimed at bringing healthcare into the home for seniors on […]
Consumers are warming to the idea of home healthcare providers to get complex procedures and diagnostics done without having to step out—even beyond the pandemic. Though covid gave tailwinds to home health diagnostics, the industry is expected to continue growing at 15-19% a year to touch $13 billion by 2025 from $5.4 billion currently, according […]
2020 has been a challenging year for health care leaders across the globe as communities have been forced to grapple with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this health care crisis has presented an opportunity to ignite tremendous transformation, especially in the technology space. At MVP Health Care, we have seen five to six […]
Medicare home healthcare has been pivotal during the coronavirus pandemic, but it still needs to undergo changes to fully meet beneficiaries’ needs. By Kelsey Waddill October 30, 2020 – While the coronavirus pandemic has forced positive change elsewhere in the healthcare industry, Medicare home healthcare policies still have room to improve, a Commonwealth Fund study discovered. As the healthcare industry […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the effects of existing health disparities throughout the United States. While Hispanic/Latino individuals account for only 16% of the Rhode Island (RI) population, Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) data show that 45% of COVID-19 cases and 36% of individuals who have been hospitalized identify as Hispanic/Latino. Clínica Esperanza/Hope Clinic […]
Now that the initial wave of COVID-19 has passed and providers have mastered the telehealth billing requirements, it is time to turn attention to the 2021 Evaluation and Management (E&M) changes and their impact on a provider’s practice. Much of what was learned during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) will aid physicians as they transition […]
A bipartisan contingent of lawmakers has introduced the Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth (HEAT) Act, a bill that would provide Medicare reimbursements for audio and video telehealth services furnished by home health agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I know firsthand the benefits of home healthcare,” said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), who was joined by Reps. […]